The 2017 NHL Entry Draft was, in my opinion, one of the most underrated drafts in recent memory. At the time, many thought that this draft wasn’t very deep, but in hindsight, it had a plethora of players who have become superstars in today’s NHL.
Almost every draft has a big storyline. Whether it be “McDavid vs Eichel” in 2015, or “Wright vs Slafkovsky” in 2022, the 2017 draft was no different, as both Nico Hischier and Nolan Patrick were touted as the two most likely players to be picked first overall, creating the “Nico vs Nolan” debate.
It’s too bad that for a second straight season, the Canucks dropped to fifth overall in the draft order.
President Trevor Linden speaks following the news that the #Canucks will pick fifth in the 2017 #NHLDraft. pic.twitter.com/S12nZuPmA1
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) April 30, 2017
Although they didn’t have a chance to pick Hischier or Patrick, there were still a lot of potential options for the Canucks to choose from.
This draft was loaded with centreman, and it was obvious that the Canucks were going to pick one, due to them not really having any young, elite centreman in their prospect pipeline.
Cody Glass, Gabriel Vilardi, and Michael Rasmussen were all names that had been linked to the Canucks prior to the draft, with most fans hoping for one of Vilardi or Glass.
Alright, let the drafting begin! (That’s not at all what they say).
The New Jersey Devils had the luxury of picking first, and they elected to go for Swiss centreman, Nico Hischier. Hischier has turned out to be a great two-way centreman for the Devils, and is now the captain of the team. Not bad, not bad at all.
With the 1st-overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft—held 5 years ago today—the #NJDevils selected Nico Hischier of the Halifax Mooseheads. It was the first time the Devils held the top pick in the draft.
https://t.co/4JsUwzmeTl— New Jersey Devils History (@DevilsOfYore) June 23, 2022
Nolan Patrick went 2nd to the Philadelphia Flyers, and he hasn’t found consistency in the NHL due to multiple concussions.
The Dallas Stars, who had a legendary draft, selected Miro Heiskanen at number three, and the Colorado Avalanche selected Cale Makar at number four. Both have become elite defenseman, with Makar winning both the Norris and Conn Smythe trophies in 2022.
Alright, finally it’s Vancouver’s turn to make their selection. With the fifth overall pick, Vancouver selects…
I’m sorry, who? Elias Pettersson? What?
The Vancouver Canucks select Center Elias Pettersson 5th overall in the 2017 NHL entry draft. pic.twitter.com/KTMcvQeMaW
— tattooed goalie dad #31🇵🇹🇨🇦 (@sandropacheco71) June 23, 2017
The entire fanbase was stunned. “ELIAS PETTERSSON OVER CODY GLASS!?”
It looks hilarious now, but back then, this was a genuinely shocking pick by the Canucks, as Pettersson was touted to go anywhere as high as 12th to as low as 25th, yet the Canucks picked him at number five.
Bravo to the scouts on the Canucks at the time, as this pick proved to be a slam dunk.
Pettersson is now the Canucks’ best player, and just tallied 102 points in 80 games this past season, proving furthermore that the draft is nothing more than a crapshoot.